Building religious structures on roadside needs state nod

Wayside religious shrines will need the state government’s nod. The state government has given an impetus to a Supreme Court order of September 29, banning religious structures from coming up on public land.

Any religious structure being proposed, reconstructed, repaired or even going through changes will now need a nod from the state Home Department and a police’s approval.

Besides, a ‘No Objection Certificate’ will have to be got from the Urban Development Department, states a Government Resolution passed on November 23.

Previously, such work could be carried out with the civic body’s approval.

“Besides law and order issues, we have seen many projects face hurdles due to religious structures laid out haphazardly. Removing them became a sensitive issue,” said Principal Secretary of Urban Development Department T.C. Benjamin.

“Any changes and construction of any religious shrine will have to get an NOC from our department. Since we will be looking at all legalities of a shrine, it will be more foolproof,” he said.

The Jogeshwari Vikhroli Link Road project saw a four-year delay due to a three religious shrines that stood in its way.

Also, the long distance terminal project at Dadar ran into hurdles as a religious shrine at its southern end was coming in the way.